Podcast Summary: Detox Nation with Sinclair Kennally

Episode Title: 28% Americans Suffer Hidden Concussion & Vision Issues (Are You One of Them?)
Guest: Dr. Bryce Appelbaum
Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this riveting episode, host Sinclair Kennally interviews Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a leading functional optometrist, about the hidden epidemic of concussions and their often-overlooked impact on vision and broader health. The conversation dives into how concussions—many of which are undiagnosed—can manifest as persistent symptoms, especially in the context of our screen-heavy, visually demanding modern life. The episode blends personal anecdotes, clinical insights, and practical steps, aiming to empower listeners to re-examine overlooked sources of chronic symptoms and take proactive steps for brain and eye health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Overlooked Prevalence and Consequences of Concussion

• Hidden Epidemic:

  • Dr. Appelbaum reveals that "28% of Americans have had at least one concussion in their lifetime" ([00:00]).
  • Many fail to connect persistent symptoms (like headaches, dizziness, or difficulty focusing) to a past, even seemingly minor, head injury.

• Vision vs. Eyesight Distinction:

  • Eyesight is simply the ability to see, while vision is how the brain organizes and processes visual input ([00:48]).
  • "You can't have a head injury and not have vision be impacted. It's just a matter of at what level." ([01:33])

• Modern Context—Screens as a Pandemic:

  • Modern screen use has dramatically increased visual stress and changed how concussions manifest and linger ([01:55]).

2. Why Many Concussions Go Undiagnosed and Untreated

• Medical System Limitations:

  • Conventional medicine often focuses on “catastrophic injuries" and structural damage, missing microfunctional disruptions typical in concussions ([02:35]).
  • Imaging rarely captures the problem unless using advanced functional techniques, leading to underdiagnosis.

• Subjective Symptoms and Diagnostic Gaps:

  • “If you've seen one concussion, you've seen one concussion. Everybody functions differently after a concussion...” ([04:43])
  • Lack of standardized, comprehensive vision-related diagnostic protocols.

3. Vision's Central Role in Health and Brain Function

• Vision as the Dominant Sense:

  • Two-thirds of brain neurons process information from the eyes ([00:48]).
  • Vision issues after a concussion can derail everyday tasks, contribute to sensory overload, and interfere with cognition, sleep, and systemic functions ([03:53]).

• Vision and Neurodivergence:

  • Links between vision problems and learning/attentional diagnoses like dyslexia, ADD, ADHD ([08:11]).
  • “Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD—they’re incomplete diagnoses without addressing vision first. Vision directs behavior… if you can’t control your eyes and their ability to focus, you can’t control your mind.” ([08:11])

4. Clinical and Personal Anecdotes

• Sinclair’s personal experience: repeated undiagnosed concussions via car accidents, initially overlooked because treatment was limited to whiplash, not brain and vision function ([06:27]).

• Coping Mechanisms:

  • Sinclair: “I was basically just like glancing, grabbing one nugget and then I would jump into the fray in school ...”
    Dr. Appelbaum: “Do you know how common that is though?... It's crazy what we can do when we're... solving a problem.” ([09:45])

• Importance of multi-modal, personalized care versus “one size fits all.”

5. Dr. Appelbaum's Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment

• Advanced, Holistic Evaluation:

  • Uses a multi-faceted process: 3D and 2D eye movement tracking, reading eye movement software, spatial perception tests ([10:54]).
  • Customizes therapy integrating movement, cognitive tasks, vestibular input, and advanced (VR/AR) and low-tech tools.

• Intensive Vision Therapy Programs:

  • Five-day, 12-hour intensive with data-driven adjustments, followed by robust 6-month home therapy ([12:55]).
  • Virtual reality games tailored for ocular training.

• Philosophy:

  • “Every concussion, with the right motivation, with the right compliance and with the right work, can get back to previous level of function.” ([14:54])

6. Integrating Vision Care with Chronic Illness Recovery

• Vision dysfunction may block or obscure progress in treating mold exposure, Lyme, parasites, systemic inflammation, or trauma ([15:15]).
• “Just the takeaway is put your vision first...vision is very likely impacting brain function, fatigue, mental clarity, productivity, happiness...” ([15:36])
• Recommends addressing systemic healing in tandem with vision rehabilitation for best outcomes.

7. Finding the Right Practitioner

• Seek specialists board certified in vision therapy and rehabilitation; check via the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) ([17:03]).
• Warns of inconsistency and lack of regulation in the field—"Wild Wild West"—making it crucial to choose experienced practitioners ([17:38]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Unseen Impact of Concussion:
  • “Most people don’t realize that present symptoms can often be tied to or connected to a prior head injury.” – Dr. Bryce Appelbaum ([02:23])
• Medical System Gaps:
  • “If you’ve seen one concussion, you’ve seen one concussion.” – Dr. Bryce Appelbaum ([04:43])
• Vision vs. Behavior:
  • “If you can’t control your eyes and their ability to focus, you can’t control your mind’s stability.” – Dr. Bryce Appelbaum ([08:11])
• On Neurotoxins as Brain Trauma:
  • “You can look at mold toxicity as a brain injury.” – Dr. Bryce Appelbaum ([20:13])
• On Vision Recovery:
  • “Vision problems post-head injury don't resolve with time. The symptoms sometimes do and we learn how to compensate and adapt. But the problems remain unless we figure out how to use our eyes to tap into our brain to rewire things.” – Dr. Bryce Appelbaum ([21:07])
• Simple Action Steps:
  • “Take vision breaks. People have probably heard of the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a break for 20 seconds and look at something at least 20 feet away.” – Dr. Bryce Appelbaum ([23:00])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Concussion Statistics, Vision’s Role: [00:00] – [02:09]
• Why Concussions Go Undiagnosed: [02:35] – [04:17]
• How to Assess for Concussion-Related Vision Issues: [05:28] – [07:46]
• Vision and Neurodivergence/Personal Story: [07:52] – [10:11]
• Therapeutic Assessment and Intervention: [10:54] – [14:54]
• Concussion Complicating Chronic Illness: [15:15] – [16:48]
• Finding Qualified Vision Specialists: [17:03] – [19:38]
• How Minor Head Injuries Impact Life: [19:38] – [22:08]
• Home Tips: Vision Breaks & Exercises: [23:00] – [29:06]
• Vision Performance Training/ScreenFit: [29:08] – [30:08]

Actionable At-Home Tips

Three Strategies Dr. Appelbaum Recommends ([23:00]–[29:06]):

1. Take Frequent Vision Breaks:
   • Practice the 20-20-20 rule to relieve near visual stress and prevent eye fatigue.
2. Practice “Eye Push-Ups”:
   • Focus on your thumb as you bring it closer and farther to stimulate and relax your focusing system ([26:10]).
3. Selfie Eye Movements:
   • Using a mirror/phone, track your own eye movement while turning your head for vestibular-visual integration ([28:13]).

Resources & Where to Find Dr. Appelbaum

• Website: MyVisionFirst.com ([30:10])
• Social: Instagram @drbryceappelbaum (“Applebaum EL not LE”)
• ScreenFit Vision Training: Home program for digital eye strain and recovery

Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is warm, supportive, action-oriented, and driven by both personal experience and advanced clinical knowledge. Listeners are encouraged to question conventional understandings of concussions, consider the centrality of vision in health, and seek expert, holistic intervention. Empowerment and hope are strong themes throughout.

End of Summary